Plant Based Protein Absorption. The practical implication is that you may need to eat 20-50 more plant proteins to absorb the equivalent amount of amino acids as you would from animal sources. And lean meat based proteins and dairy somewhere between 80-90.
Plant-based protein powder which also qualifies as vegan protein powder can be used in place of milk protein supplements like whey protein powder and casein protein. However plant-based proteins have less of an anabolic effect than animal proteins due to their lower digestibility lower essential amino acid content especially leucine and deficiency in other essential amino acids such as sulfur amino acids or lysine. The practical implication is that you may need to eat 20-50 more plant proteins to absorb the equivalent amount of amino acids as you would from animal sources.
Some of the best plant-based protein powders combine different types of plant proteins in order to create a complete protein.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some plant-based proteins are high in lectins a group of antinutrients that can cause damage to the GI tract and interfere with absorption of nutrients. When it comes to digestion and absorption there really isnt any drawback with plant-based protein. Also because plants have high fiber content it makes digestion and absorption a slower process. The best plant-based protein supplements also include sprouted or fermented grain proteins.
